Display case door with transparent LCD panel

ABSTRACT

A display case door for a product storage device includes a transparent unit through which products within the product storage device are visible. The transparent unit includes a transparent LCD panel configured to present visual media content. The display case door further includes an electrical hinge pin rotatably coupling the display case door to the product storage device and one or more electrical conductors extending through the electrical hinge pin. The electrical conductors deliver the visual media content to the transparent LCD panel from a remote data source.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This present application is a continuation of reissue application ofU.S. Pat. No. 9,504,338, which claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/686,958, filed Apr. 15, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No.9,155,405, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/170,378, filed on Jan. 31, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,052,536, whichis a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/286,053, filed Oct. 31, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,683,745, whichclaims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/484,616, filed May 10, 2011. All of these patentapplications are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to product storage devices suchas refrigerated display cases as may be found in a supermarket or othersimilar facility. The present disclosure relates more particularly to aproduct storage device with a transparent LCD panel.

BACKGROUND

This section is intended to provide a background or context to theinvention recited in the claims. The description herein may includeconcepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily ones that havebeen previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwiseindicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art tothe description and claims in this application and is not admitted to beprior art by inclusion in this section.

Temperature-controlled storage devices (e.g., a refrigerator, freezer,refrigerated merchandiser, display case, etc.) are used in a widevariety of commercial, institutional, and residential applications forstoring and/or displaying refrigerated or frozen objects. Manytemperature-controlled storage devices have a display case door (e.g., adoor with an insulated glass panel) through which objects within thetemperature-controlled storage device can be viewed. Traditional displaycase doors allow a customer in a supermarket or other similar facilityto see the objects within the temperature-controlled storage devicewhile shopping, but do not otherwise facilitate product presentation orenhance the shopping experience.

SUMMARY

One implementation of the present disclosure is a display case door fora product storage device. The display case door includes a transparentunit through which products within the product storage device arevisible. The transparent unit includes a transparent LCD panelconfigured to present visual media content. The display case doorfurther includes an electrical hinge pin rotatably coupling the displaycase door to the product storage device and one or more electricalconductors extending through the electrical hinge pin. The electricalconductors deliver the visual media content to the transparent LCD panelfrom a remote data source.

In some embodiments, the transparent unit includes a front panel and arear panel. The transparent LCD panel may be positioned between thefront panel and the rear panel.

In some embodiments, the visual media content includes at least one ofproduct information, pricing information, nutritional information,advertising content, and store layout information.

In some embodiments, the remote data source includes a media playerlocated outside the display case door. The media player may be connectedwith the transparent LCD panel via the one or more electrical conductorsand configured to control the visual media content presented via thetransparent LCD panel. In some embodiments, the media player providesvisual media content to a plurality of transparent LCD panelsdistributed across a plurality of display case doors.

In some embodiments, the display case door includes a lighting elementconfigured to provide lighting for the transparent LCD panel and for theproducts within the product storage device.

In some embodiments, the display case door includes a light guideconfigured to transition between an opaque state in which the lightguide provides backlighting for the transparent LCD panel and atransparent state in which the light guide allows the products withinthe product storage device to be viewed through the transparent LCDpanel.

In some embodiments, the display case door includes a touch screenconfigured to receive touch-based input from a user. The visual mediacontent may be presented by the transparent LCD panel in response touser input received via the touch screen.

In some embodiments, the display case door includes a speaker configuredto present audio media content. The one or more electrical conductorsmay deliver the audio media content to the speaker from the remote datasource.

Another implementation of the present disclosure is a display system fora product storage device. The display system includes a display casedoor. The display case door includes a transparent LCD panel configuredto present visual media content and through which products within theproduct storage device are visible. The display system further includesan electrical hinge pin rotatably coupling the display case door to theproduct storage device. The display system further includes a controllerlocated outside the display case door and configured to control thevisual media content presented via the transparent LCD panel. Thedisplay system further includes one or more electrical conductorsextending through the electrical hinge pin and delivering the visualmedia content from the controller to the transparent LCD panel.

In some embodiments, the transparent unit includes a front panel and arear panel. The transparent LCD panel may be positioned between thefront panel and the rear panel.

In some embodiments, the visual media content includes at least one ofproduct information, pricing information, nutritional information,advertising content, and store layout information.

In some embodiments, the display system includes a lighting elementconfigured to provide lighting for the transparent LCD panel and for theproducts within the product storage device.

In some embodiments, the display system includes a light guideconfigured to transition between an opaque state in which the lightguide provides backlighting for the transparent LCD panel and atransparent state in which the light guide allows products within theproduct storage device to be viewed through the transparent LCD panel.

In some embodiments, the controller causes the light guide to transitionbetween the transparent state and the opaque state and coordinatespresentation of the visual media content via the transparent LCD panelwith a state of the light guide.

In some embodiments, the controller causes the light guide to transitioninto the opaque state when the visual media content is presented via thetransparent LCD panel and causes the light guide to transition into thetransparent state when the visual media content is not presented via thetransparent LCD panel.

In some embodiments, the controller provides visual media content to aplurality of transparent LCD panels distributed across a plurality ofdisplay case doors.

Another implementation of the present disclosure is a display case doorassembly. The display case door assembly includes a transparent unit.The transparent unit includes a transparent LCD panel configured topresent visual media content. The display case door assembly furtherincludes an electrical hinge pin about which the display case doorassembly rotates between an open position and a closed position. Thedisplay case door assembly further includes a remote media playerlocated outside the display case door and configured to control thevisual media content presented via the transparent LCD panel. Thedisplay case door assembly further includes one or more electricalconductors extending through the electrical hinge pin and delivering thevisual media content from the remote media player to the transparent LCDpanel.

In some embodiments, wherein the visual media content includes at leastone of product information, pricing information, nutritionalinformation, advertising content, and store layout information.

In some embodiments, the display case door assembly includes a powersupply located outside the display case door and configured to providepower for the transparent LCD panel. The one or more electricalconductors may deliver the power from the power supply to thetransparent LCD panel.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Otheraspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices and/orprocesses described herein, as defined solely by the claims, will becomeapparent in the detailed description set forth herein and taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 perspective view of a temperature-controlled storage devicehaving a plurality of display case doors, each of the display case doorsincluding a transparent unit with a transparent LCD panel containedtherein, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the transparent unit of FIG. 1, showing afront panel, a rear panel, and a transparent LCD panel positionedbetween the front panel and the rear panel, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the transparent unit shown in FIG. 2with a portion of front panel 18 cut away to show a controller housedbetween the front panel and the rear panel, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view of the transparent unit of FIG. 2,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the transparent unit of FIG. 2 withthe rear panel removed to show a lighting element attached to a rearsurface of the transparent LCD panel, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 6 is another cross-sectional plan view of the transparent unit ofFIG. 2, illustrating in greater detail the attachment of the lightingelement shown in FIG. 5 to the transparent LCD panel and showing apotential location for a light guide, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a door frame assembly including thetransparent unit of FIG. 2, showing a speaker and a controller mountedwithin a door frame of the assembly, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of the door frame assembly of FIG. 7,showing a sensor mounted within the door frame and the controllercontained within the transparent unit, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 9 is another cross-sectional plan view of the transparent unit ofFIG. 2, illustrating a spacer configuration in which a single spacer isused to position the front panel, the rear panel, and the transparentLCD panel, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the transparent unit of FIG. 2 witha hinge pin attached to upper and lower corners thereof, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates the hinge pin of FIG. 10 in greater detail, showingmultiple electrical conductors extending therethrough, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a controller for variouselectronic components of the display case door, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional plan view of the transparent unit of FIG.2, according to another exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the FIGURES, a display case door with atransparent liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and components thereofare shown, according to various exemplary embodiments. The display casedoor described herein may be used as a door for a refrigerator, freezer,refrigerated merchandiser, or other display case in a wide variety ofcommercial, institutional, and residential applications. For example,the display case door may be used as a door for a temperature-controlledstorage device in a supermarket or other similar facility and mayinclude one or more transparent panels or panes (e.g., insulated glasspanels) through which objects within the temperature-controlled storagedevice can be viewed.

The display case door described herein includes a transparent LCD panelas one of the one or more transparent panels or panes. Advantageously,the transparent LCD panel can be used to present electronic content(e.g., product information, pricing, nutritional value, advertisements,store layout information, visual media, etc.) to a customer whileallowing a customer to see into the temperature-controlled storagedevice and view the items contained therein. In some embodiments, thetransparent LCD panel is the center panel of a three-pane unit, therebymaximizing visible transmittance while maintaining thermal insulatingperformance and protecting the LCD panel from impact damage. Thetransparent LCD panel may be mounted within a hermetically sealed unitto protect against moisture damage.

In various embodiments, the display case door described herein includesone or more electronic components such as sensors (e.g., a camera, amotion sensor, a proximity sensor, a temperature sensor, a microphone,etc.), speakers (e.g., for presenting audio-content to a customer), atouch-sensitive panel (e.g., for receiving a user input), a lightingelement (e.g., to illuminate items within the temperature-controlledstorage device, to provide lighting for the LCD panel, etc.) ananti-condensate system (e.g., to control condensation on the displaycase door), a light guide (e.g., to direct light from the lightingelement to the items within the temperature-controlled storage deviceand/or to the LCD panel), and/or a controller to process data inputs andto provide control signals (e.g., operating instructions, data signals,etc.) to the various electronic components. The electronic componentsmay be located between the front and rear panels, embedded in the doorframe, or otherwise located.

In some embodiments, portions of the front rear and panels areselectively decorated to conceal any wires or other electroniccomponents within the display case door. For example, the front and rearpanels may be darkened or made opaque around a perimeter thereof (e.g.using screen printing, dot matrix decorating, roller printing, ink jetprinting, painting, etc.) to hide any electronic components containedbetween the front and rear panels.

Before discussing further details of the display case door and/or thecomponents thereof, it should be noted that references to “front,”“back,” “rear,” “upward,” “downward,” “inner,” “outer,” “right,” and“left” in this description are merely used to identify the variouselements as they are oriented in the FIGURES. These terms are not meantto limit the element which they describe, as the various elements may beoriented differently in various applications.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a drawing of a storage device 10 having aplurality of display case doors 12 is shown, according to an exemplaryembodiment. In some embodiments, storage device 10 is atemperature-controlled storage device (e.g., a refrigerator, a freezer,a warmer, a heater, etc.) for storing and/or displaying refrigerated,frozen, or heated goods. In other embodiments, storage device 10 may beused to store and/or display products, goods, or other items at roomtemperature or at an uncontrolled temperature. Storage device 10 may beimplemented in any commercial, industrial, or residential facility. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 1, storage device 10 may be used to storeand/or display refrigerated or frozen goods to customers in asupermarket, warehouse store, or other similar facility.

Storage device 10 is shown to include a plurality of display case doors12. Each display case door 12 is shown to include a door frame 14 and atransparent unit 16. In some embodiments, transparent unit 16 includesone or more panes of transparent or substantially transparent glass(e.g., insulated glass, tempered glass, etc.), plastics, or othertransparent or substantially transparent materials. In some embodiments,transparent unit 16 includes multiple layers of transparent panels(i.e., multiple panels per door 12). For example, transparent unit 16may be a three-pane unit having a front panel, a center panel, and arear panel.

In some embodiments, transparent unit 16 includes a transparent LCDpanel. Advantageously, the transparent LCD panel can be used to presentelectronic content (e.g., product information, pricing, nutritionalvalue, advertisements, store layout information, visual media, etc.) toa customer while allowing a customer to see into storage device 10 andview the items contained therein. The content presented via the LCDpanel may be generated dynamically (e.g., in response to user inputand/or sensor signals) and may be updated to include new content (e.g.,new advertisements, current product promotions, etc.) via acommunications network or other data connection.

In some embodiments, transparent unit 16 includes a touch-sensitivepanel. In various embodiments, some or all of the front panel may betouch-sensitive. A user can touch the touch-sensitive panel to access aninformation system, to retrieve product or nutritional information, toview a store layout, or otherwise interact with display case door 12and/or the electronic content presented by display case door 12.Transparent unit 16 is described in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 2-4.

Still referring to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, display case door 12includes a handle 56. Handle 56 may be used to open, close, lock,unlock, seal, unseal, or otherwise operate display case door 12. Displaycase door 12 may include any of a variety of structures or features forattaching display case door 12 to storage device 10. For example,display case door 12 may include a structure for housing wiring, amullion, one or more gaskets, and/or other associated brackets andcomponents typically included in refrigerated display cases. Detaileddescriptions of such components are provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,606,832,and U.S. Pat. No. 6,606,833, which are incorporated by reference hereinin their entireties.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, transparent unit 16 is shown in greaterdetail, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded viewdrawing of transparent unit 16, FIG. 3 is a front view of transparentunit 16, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view of transparent unit16, according to an exemplary embodiment. Transparent unit 16 is shownto include a front panel 18, a rear panel 20, and a transparent LCDpanel 22.

Transparent LCD panel 22 may be a single layer or multilayer panel thatincludes an LCD screen for presenting visual content (e.g., video,images, etc.). LCD panel 22 may receive control signals (e.g., startupsignals, data signals, etc.) from a controller 38 and may be configuredto present the visual content in response to the control signals.Transparent LCD panel 22 can be used to present various types ofelectronic content such as product information (e.g., pricing,nutritional value, etc.), advertisements (e.g., video advertisements,image advertisements, text advertisements, etc.), store layoutinformation, and/or other forms of visual media. Advantageously,transparent LCD panel 22 can be used to present electronic content to auser (e.g., a customer at a supermarket, retail store, etc.) whileallowing the user to see through transparent LCD panel 22 and view theitems contained within storage device 10.

Transparent LCD panel may include a number of different layers or panesof glass, plexiglass or other suitable transparent or semi-transparentmaterials. The layers may be laminated to one another and/or held inposition by a LCD panel frame 36. In some embodiments, LCD panel 22includes a reinforcing layer of glass or a transparent polymer adheredthereto to improve strength and reduce strain (e.g., in the event thatdisplay case door 12 is impacted or slammed). The reinforcing layer mayimprove the rigidity of LCD panel 22 such that LCD panel 22 has thestrength and structural integrity of a double-laminated panel.

In some embodiments, transparent LCD panel 22 is used as the centerpanel of a three-pane unit (i.e., between front panel 18 and rear panel20). By using transparent LCD panel 22 as the center panel, LCD panel 22is protected from impact damage (e.g., by shopping carts or otherobjects) and moisture damage (e.g., from condensation when display casedoor 12 is opened, from atmospheric air humidity, etc.). Additionally,mounting LCD panel 22 between front panel 18 and rear panel 20 mayincrease the visible transmittance of LCD panel 22.

In other embodiments, LCD panel 22 is not the center panel. For example,transparent LCD panel 22 may be located in front of both front panel 18and rear panel 20 or behind both front panel 18 and rear panel 20. Insome embodiments, LCD panel 22 may be adhered or laminated to theoutside panel or the inside panel of a triple pane refrigerator door. Inanother embodiment, transparent unit 16 can include more than threepanels or panes. For example, transparent LCD panel 22 can be insertedbetween the first and second or second and third panels in a triple panerefrigerator door.

Front panel 18 and rear panel 20 may be made from glass (e.g., insulatedglass, tempered glass, etc.), plastics, or other transparent orsubstantially transparent materials. In some embodiments, front panel 18and rear panel 20 include a transparent portion 34 and an opaque portion32. Opaque portion 32 may be formed, for example, by screen printing, byapplying another type of coating (e.g., dot matrix decorating, rollerprinting, ink jet printing, painting, etc.), and/or by applying a decalto a surface of front panel 18 and/or rear panel 20. Opaque portion 32may hide or obscure the margin of LCD panel 22 (e.g., frame 36, edges ofthe LCD screen, etc.) as well as any other components which may bepositioned between front panel 18 and rear panel 20 (e.g., spacers24-28, insulation 30, etc.).

Each of panels 18-22 includes a front surface and a rear surface. Asshown best in FIG. 4, front panel 18 includes a front surface 40 and arear surface 42, rear panel 20 includes a front surface 44 and a rearsurface 46, and transparent LCD panel 22 includes a front surface 48 anda rear surface 50. Front surfaces 40, 44, and 48 face toward a customerwhen display case door 12 is closed whereas rear surfaces 42, 46, and 50face toward storage device 10 when display case door 12 is closed. Insome embodiments, opaque portion 32 may be formed by applying a coatingto surfaces 42 and 44 (i.e., the interior surfaces of front panel 18 andrear panel 20). In other embodiments, opaque portion 32 may be formed byapplying an opaque coating to any other surfaces (e.g., in addition toor in place of surfaces 42 and 44) or by using opaque materials to formopaque portion 32.

Still referring to FIGS. 2-4, transparent unit 16 is shown to includethree panels. However, in various embodiments, transparent unit 16 mayinclude a greater or lesser number of panels. For example, transparentunit 16 may be a two-pane unit (e.g., transparent LCD panel 22 and oneother transparent or substantially transparent panel, two traditionalnon-LCD panels, etc.), a three-pane unit (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2 orwith three non-LCD panels), a four-pane unit (e.g., transparent LCDpanel 22 and three traditional non-LCD panels), a five-pane unit, asix-pane unit, or a unit having any other number of panes or panels.Transparent unit 16 may include any combination of transparent LCDpanels and/or traditional non-LCD panels.

In some embodiments, panels 18-22 may be outfitted with ananti-condensate device. Coolers are a type of refrigerated display casewhich operate at a temperature of approximately 38° F. Freezers areanother type of refrigerated display case which operate below 0° F. Ifthe external surface of transparent unit 16 is colder than thetemperature of the air external to display case door 12, moisture fromthe outside air may condense on the surface of transparent unit 16. Insome embodiments, one or more of panels 18-22 includes anelectrically-conductive coating (e.g., a pyrolitic coating or othersimilar coating) to prevent condensation from occurring. Theelectrically-conductive coating can be applied by spraying, adhering,laminating, or otherwise depositing the coating (e.g., using chemicalvapor deposition) on any of surfaces 40-50.

To provide electricity to the coating, transparent unit 16 may includeparallel bus bars (e.g., top and bottom, left and right side, etc.). Thebus bars may be spaced apart from one another and adhered to theelectrically-conductive coating. Each bus bar may include a leadassembly or solder tab for adhering wires that are in communication withan electrical source. In this arrangement, electric current may passthrough one of the lead assemblies, to a first of the bus bars, acrossthe electrically-conductive coating to the second bus bar, and throughthe other lead assembly. The electric current may cause heat to begenerated across panels 18-22 (e.g., due to electrical resistance of thecoating), which may assist in preventing condensation on panels 18-22.An exemplary bus bar system is described in greater detail in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,606,832, and 6,606,833, which are incorporated by referenceherein for their descriptions thereof.

In some embodiments, panels 18-22 are configured to maximize visiblelight transmission through transparent unit 16 to a customer, therebyimproving the ability of customers to view display items within storagedevice 10 and content presented via LCD panel 22. However, it is alsodesirable to minimize the transmission of non-visible light (i.e.,ultraviolet and infrared light) through transparent unit 16 in order toimprove thermal performance (e.g., by reducing radiation heat transfer)and to protect the items stored therein.

In some embodiments, panels 18-22 may be configured to use non-visiblewavelengths of light to heat panels 18-22, thereby reducing orpreventing condensation. For example, one or more of panels 18-22 mayinclude an ultraviolet (UV) inhibitor. A UV inhibitor may increase theshelf life of products within storage device 10 by preventingultraviolet light from passing through display case door 12. Theultraviolet light may be absorbed or reflected by the UV inhibitor andmay be used as a source of energy to heat panels 18-22. As anotherexample, panels 18-22 may be treated with a low-emissivityheat-reflective coating to improve overall thermal resistance (e.g., byreducing radiation heat transfer) and/or to prevent externalcondensation.

In some embodiments, an anti-reflective coating may be applied to any ofpanels 18-22. The anti-reflective coating may absorb or transmitinfrared light, ultraviolet light, or any combination thereof. In someembodiments, the anti-reflective coating may absorb or transmit somefrequencies of visible light in addition to infrared and/or ultravioletlight.

Still referring to FIGS. 2-4, transparent unit 16 is shown to include aplurality of spacers 24-28. In some embodiments, spacers 24-28 includeat least three different spacers (i.e., first spacer 24, second spacer26, and third spacer 28). First spacer 24 may span the distance betweenfront panel 18 and rear panel 20, second spacer 26 may span the distancebetween front panel 18 and LCD panel 22, and third spacer 28 may spanthe distance between LCD panel 22 and rear panel 20. Spacers 24-28 maybe used to ensure an appropriate spacing between panels 18-22 and toprevent undesirable flexure thereof. For example, first spacer 24 may beadhered to surfaces 42 and 44 (i.e., the interior surfaces of frontpanel 18 and rear panel 20) and may be used to maintain a desireddistance between front panel 18 and rear panel 20.

In some embodiments, spacers 24-28 form closed shapes. For example, FIG.2 shows each of spacers 24-28 as a substantially rectangular frame. Inother embodiments, one or more of spacers 24-28 may be replaced with aplurality of spacer segments (as shown in FIG. 5). In some embodiments,spacers 24-28 may be combined into a single spacer (as shown in FIG. 9).

In some embodiments, spacers 24-28 are made of an elastomeric material.The elastomeric material may help support and suspend transparent LCDpanel 22 within display case door 12 and may prevent damage from shockand vibration when display case door 12 is opened and closed. In otherembodiments, spacers 24-28 may be made of other materials such aspolymers, metals, ceramics, or any combination thereof.

Still referring to FIGS. 2-4, transparent unit 16 is shown to includeinsulation 30. Insulation 30 may be thermal insulation, electricalinsulation, magnetic insulation, or any combination thereof. Insulation30 may be included between front panel 18 and rear panel 20 to reduceheat transfer through display case door 12. In some embodiments, LCDpanel 22 is smaller than front panel 18 and rear panel 20 (e.g., asmaller height, a smaller width, etc.). Insulation 30 may be providedaround LCD panel 22 (e.g., above, below, to the sides of, etc.) to fillempty space between front panel 18 and rear panel 20. Insulation 30 mayinclude multiple sections and one or more cut-outs for housingelectrical or mechanical components. For example, in FIGS. 2 and 3,insulation 30 is shown to include a cut-out 80 configured to housecontroller 38.

Insulation 30 may be formed from molded polyurethane foam, polystyrenebead, extruded polystyrene, or other similar material. In someembodiments, other types of insulation, such as superinsulation (e.g.,silica aerogel) can be used in areas where bulky and/or conductivecomponents require greater insulation in a limited space (e.g., toprevent external condensation in a refrigerator or freezer). In someembodiments, an insulating gas (e.g., argon, xenon, krypton, sulfurhexafluoride, etc.) may be used to fill the spaces between front panel18 and rear panel 20. An insulating gas may be ideally suited for lowtemperature applications and may be used in addition to or in place ofinsulation 30 for insulating spaces around LCD panel 22.

As shown in FIG. 4, the insulating gas may be used to fill cavities 58between front panel 18 and LCD panel 22 and between rear panel 20 andLCD panel 22. In operation, light from within display case door 12 maypass through cavities 58 before reaching a user. Advantageously, theinsulating gas within cavities 58 may be transparent to visible lightsuch that light from within display case door 12 is able to pass throughcavities 58. The insulating gas may improve the thermal insulation ofdisplay case door 12 without impairing the functionality of LCD panel 22and without preventing light from passing through cavities 58 andreaching a user.

In some embodiments, transparent unit 16 includes a seal 60. Seal 60 mayhermetically seal cavities 58 to prevent external contamination (e.g.,with dust, residue, pollution, chemicals, moisture, etc.) and to preventthe insulating gas within cavities 58 from escaping.

Still referring to FIGS. 2-4, in some embodiments, transparent unit 16includes a touch screen 62. Touch screen 62 may be located in front offront panel 18 (e.g., along surface 40), behind front panel 18 (e.g.,along surface 42), within front panel 18, or elsewhere within orexternal to transparent unit 16. Touch screen 62 may use any type oftouch screen technology such as resistive, acoustic (e.g., surfaceacoustic, acoustic pulse, etc.), capacitive touch, projected capacitance(e.g., mutual capacitance, self capacitance, etc.), infrared (e g,infrared grid, infrared acrylic projection, etc.), optical imaging,and/or dispersive signal technology. Exemplary touch screen technologyis disclosed in U.S. Patent Publications No. 2009/0146945 and No.2007/0216657, which are incorporated by reference herein for theirdescriptions of touch screen technology. In various embodiments, some orall of front panel 18 may be touch-sensitive

Touch screen 62 may be configured to detect a user's proximity,movement, gestures, touch, or other forms of user interaction withdisplay case door 12. For example, a user can touch the external surfaceof front panel 18 (i.e., surface 40) to interact with display case door12. Touch screen 62 may be configured to transmit touch detection datato controller 38 for processing and interpretation. Touch screen 62 maybe used to access an information system, retrieve product or nutritionalinformation, view a store layout, or otherwise interact with displaycase door 12 and/or the electronic content presented via LCD panel 22.

In various embodiments, transparent unit 16 can be modified as necessary(e.g., resized, reshaped, components added or removed, etc.) for usewith any type of door (e.g., a hinged door, a sliding door, a revolvingdoor, an insulated door, a non-insulated door, a fire door, a securitydoor, etc.) or door assembly. For example, transparent unit 16 may beimplemented as part of an insulated door assembly for a refrigerator,multi-deck refrigerator, or freezer. In other implementations,transparent unit 16 may be used as a fixed window for a walk-in cooler,an insulated service deli case, a fixed product display window, or othernon-door related applications.

In some embodiments, transparent unit 16 may include two or more LCDpanels. The two or more LCD panels may be combined in a matrix toincrease the visible display area. For example a 46″ 16:9 standard TVsize in a 30″×67″ door leaves a large opaque margin above and below theLCD panel. Two smaller adjacent panels would leave more space forvisible transmittance. Another way to increase the visible area is tocut down the long side of a larger 16:9 LCD panel to better fit theavailable display area within transparent unit 16.

In some embodiments, a series of display case doors 12 (e.g., along asupermarket aisle) can be synchronized to display related images on eachof the display case doors 12 (e.g., similar to a JumboTron that displaysan image or images on a series of adjacent screens). Controller 38 oranother central control unit may communicate with each of the displaycase doors 12 to synchronize or coordinate the visual displays. Forexample, multiple display case doors 12 may be used to display a largeimage or video, with a portion of the image or video presented via eachof display case doors 12.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional drawing of transparent unit16 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates arear view of transparent unit 16 (e.g., from inside storage device 10)with rear panel 20 removed. In FIG. 5, transparent unit 16 is shown toinclude several components previously described with reference to FIGS.2-4. For example, transparent unit 16 is shown to include front panel18, spacer 24 attached to a rear-facing surface of front panel 18 (i.e.,surface 42), insulation 30, transparent LCD panel 22, and controller 38.

Transparent unit 16 is shown to further include a lighting element 64.Lighting element 64 may include one or more light-emitting devices(e.g., light emitting diode (LED) strips, fluorescent light tubes,incandescent lights, halogen lights, etc.) configured to providebacklighting for transparent LCD panel 22 and/or to improve thepresentation and display of the items within storage device 10. In someembodiments, lighting element 64 includes a plurality of LED strips 64aand 64b. LED strips 64a-64b may be vertically-oriented withintransparent unit 16. In various embodiments, lighting element 64 may beattached to LCD panel 22 (e.g., attached to rear-facing surface 50),attached to spacer 28 (i.e. between LCD panel 22 and rear panel 20), orotherwise mounted within transparent unit 16 or external to transparentunit 16 (e.g., within storage device 10, attached to a mullion fordisplay case doors 12, etc.). Lighting element 64 may be positionedbehind opaque portion 32 of front panel 18 such that light emitted fromlighting element 64 is not directly visible to a user.

As shown in FIG. 5, lighting element 64 may be attached to a rear-facingsurface of LCD panel 22 between spacer 28 and insulation 30. In someembodiments, spacer 28 may be a substantially rectangular frame (asshown in FIG. 2). In other embodiments, spacer 28 may include aplurality of discrete (e.g., non-connected, separate, isolated, etc.)spacer segments 28a-28f (as shown in FIG. 5). Spacer segments 28a-28fmay be separated from each other to allow light from lighting element 64to pass between spacer segments 28a-28f and reach the portion of LCDpanel 22 visible to a user. For example, light emitted from LED strip64a may pass between spacer segments 28a and 28b, between spacersegments 28b and 28d, and between spacer segments 28d and 28f Lightemitted from LED strip 64b may pass between spacer segments 28a and 28c,between spacer segments 28c and 28e, and between spacer segments 28e and28f.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a cross-sectional plan view of display casedoor 12 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 6,lighting element 64 is shown attached to a rear-facing surface of LCDpanel 22 between spacer 28 and insulation 30. In various embodiments,lighting element 64 may be positioned between spacer 28 and insulation30, interior of spacer 28 (e.g., such that spacer 28 is betweeninsulation 30 and lighting element 64), integrated with spacer 28 orinsulation 30, or otherwise located between LCD panel 22 and rear panel20. In some embodiments, lighting element 64 may be located behind rearpanel 20 (e.g., attached to surface 46, attached to a separate panelbehind rear panel 20, mounted within storage device 10, etc.).

Still referring to FIG. 6, in some embodiments, display case door 12includes a light guide 66. Light guide 66 may be configured to guide thelight emitted by lighting element 64 toward the items within storagedevice 10 and/or toward LCD panel 22. In some embodiments, light guide66 is a light guide plate (e.g., made of glass, plexiglass or the like)that helps illuminate the images on LCD panel 22 by directing light fromlighting element 64 through transparent LCD panel 22. In variousembodiments, light guide 66 may be disposed along a front surface ofrear panel 20 (i.e., surface 44), along a rear surface of rear panel 20(i.e., surface 46), behind rear panel 20 (e.g., on another panel, withinstorage device 10, etc.), or otherwise positioned to receive light fromlighting element 64.

In some embodiments, light guide 66 may include a switchable film orglass. The switchable film or glass may be configured to transitionbetween an opaque state and transparent state based on whether voltageor electric current is applied. For example, when voltage or current isapplied, the switchable film or glass may become clear. When the voltageor current is removed, the switchable film or glass may become opaque orfrosted. Light guide 66 may be configured to selectively apply anelectric voltage or current to the switchable film or glass based oncontrol signals received from controller 38.

In some embodiments, light guide 66 includes a liquid crystal switchablefilm. An exemplary switchable film that may be used with light guide 66is the 3G Switchable Film™ produced by Scienstry, Inc. of Richardson,Tex., USA. Another exemplary switchable film that may be used with lightguide 66 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,843, the entirety of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, the switchable film is applied to a surface behindLCD panel 22 (e.g., using a lamination process, an optical adhesive,double sided tape, etc.). For example, the switchable film may beapplied to surface 44 or surface 46 of rear panel 20. Lighting element64 may be positioned between LCD panel 22 and light guide 66. In thisposition, light guide 66 can be transitioned between the opaque stateand the transparent state (e.g., by a control signal received fromcontroller 38) to function as a reflective/refractive surface andprovide backlighting for LCD panel 22 (e.g. in the opaque state) and toprovide lighting for items within storage device 10 (e.g., in thetransparent state).

For example, if no voltage or current is applied, light guide 66 may beopaque (e.g., frosted, cloudy white, etc.), thereby preventing a userfrom seeing through display case door 12. In the opaque state, lightemitted by lighting element 64 may be absorbed, dispersed, or reflectedby light guide 64, thereby providing backlighting for LCD panel 22. Inthe opaque state, transparent LCD panel 22 may appear to be a typicalLCD television. The opaque state facilitates the presentation of contentvia LCD panel 22 by reducing or eliminating the transmission of lightfrom within storage device 10 through display case door 12.

If voltage or current is applied, light guide 66 may be transparent,thereby allowing a user to see through display case door 12 into storagedevice 10. In the transparent state, light emitted by lighting element64 may be transmitted through light guide 66 to provide illumination andimprove the presentation of the items within storage device 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-8, display case door 12 is shown to include asensor 68 and a speaker 70, according to an exemplary embodiment. Sensor68 may be an optical sensor (e.g., an infrared sensor, a visible lightsensor, a sensor/emitter pair, etc.), a visual recognition camera, amotion sensor, a proximity sensor, a temperature sensor, a humiditysensor, or any combination thereof.

Sensor 68 may be configured to sense or detect a user nearby displaycase door 12. For example, if a user walks by or in front of displaycase door 12, sensor 68 may send a detection signal to controller 38. Insome embodiments, sensor 68 is a visual recognition camera configured tocapture visual images of a user in front of display case door 12.Controller 38 may use a data signal from sensor 68 to determine whetherthe user is a man or a woman. In some embodiments, controller 38customizes the advertisements or other content presented via LCD panel22 based on the information gathered via sensor 68 (e.g., based onwhether the user is a man or woman, etc.).

Speaker 70 may be configured to play audio content. Speaker 70 maycommunicate various types of audio content such as music, sound effects,spoken words, audio advertisements, etc. In some embodiments, the audiocontent played by speaker 70 may supplement the visual content presentedvia LCD panel 22. In other embodiments, the audio content played byspeaker 70 may be independent of the visual content presented via LCDpanel 22. For example, in some embodiments, display case door 12 may notinclude a LCD panel and speaker 70 may be the only content output deviceused by display case door 12. Speaker 70 may receive data signals fromcontroller 38 and may produce audio content in response to the datasignals from controller 38.

Still referring to FIGS. 7-8, sensor 68 and/or speaker 70 may mounted onor within door frame 14. For example, door frame 14 may include a hollowarea 72 within which sensor 68 and/or speaker 70 may be positioned.Hollow area 72 may be covered with a cover 74 that is removably attachedto door frame 14 by threaded fasteners or the like. Cover 74 can beremoved to allow access to hollow area 72 and the electronic componentscontained therein for repair, upgrade, replacement, inspection, or otherpurposes. In some embodiments, controller 38 may be located withinhollow area 72 rather than between front panel 18 and rear panel 20.

In some embodiments, speaker 70 is a traditional speaker including adriver, a diaphragm, and other traditional speaker components. In otherembodiments, speaker 70 is an acoustic driver (i.e., an electroacostictransducer) configured to use a portion of panels 18-22 as the speakerdiaphragm. For example, speaker 70 may include one or more individualtransducers configured to vibrate a portion of panels 18-22 to createpressure waves (e.g., audible sound) rather than using a traditionalspeaker diaphragm. In various embodiments, the transducers may beattached to the rear surface of front panel 18 (i.e., surface 42) or anyother surface of display case door 12 (e.g., surfaces 40-50, surfaces ofanother panel, etc.). The transducers may cause a portion of front panel18 to vibrate, thereby producing sound waves emanating directly fromfront panel 18. The transducers may receive a control or data signalfrom controller 38 and may be configured to vibrate front panel 18 inresponse to the control or data signals.

In some embodiments, the transducers may be attached to opaque portion32 of front panel 18 such that the transducers are hidden behind anopaque surface. In some embodiments, the transducers may be attached toa portion of front panel 18 that exhibits favorable acoustical orvibrational characteristics (e.g., based on the natural frequency of theselected portion of front panel 18, the stiffness or rigidity of theselected portion, etc.). For example, relatively high frequencytransducers may be better suited for more rigid parts of front panel 18,whereas relatively low frequency transducers may be better suited forless rigid parts of front panel 18.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a cross-section of transparent unit 16 isshown, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 9 illustrates analternative configuration of spacers 24-28 in which spacers 24-28 arecombined into a single spacer 52. Spacer 52 may span the distancebetween front panel 18 and rear panel 20 and may be adhered to surfaces42 and 44. Spacer 52 is shown to include a detent 54 for receiving LCDpanel 22. Detent 54 may hold LCD panel 22 in a stable position relativeto front panel 18 and rear panel 20.

Referring now to FIGS. 10-11, a hinged electrical connection for displaycase door 12 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Aspreviously described, display case door 12 may include a variety ofelectrical and/or electronic components (e.g., LCD panel 22, controller38, sensor 68, speaker 70, anti-condensate heaters, etc.). FIGS. 10-11illustrate a mechanism for supplying power, electric current, voltage(e.g., 120 VAC or 240 VAC), and/or data to display case door 12 througha hinge pin 76.

Hinge pin 76 may be a hollow, slotted hinge pin configured to house oneor more electrical conductors 78-82. As shown in FIG. 11, insulatedelectrical conductors 78-82 and/or wired communications can be directedthrough hinge pin 76 (e.g., via TCP/IP-type Internet communications).Electrical conductors 78-82 may pass axially through hinge pin 76 todeliver power and/or data to the electronic components within displaycase door 12. Advantageously, passing electrical conductors 78-82through hinge pin 76 may reduce the flexing and fatigue stress/strainexperienced by conductors 78-82 when compared with traditional powerdelivery systems.

In some embodiments, electrical conductors 78-82 are high voltageconductors that require appropriate insulation and spacing as dictatedby UL and other safety certification organizations. For example, U.S.Pat. No. 4,671,582 to Stromquist et al., the entirety of which isincorporated by reference herein, discloses a hinge pin configured tohouse high voltage AC conductors. In other embodiments, conductors 78-82may include one or more low voltage DC conductors (e.g., conductorshaving a voltage of 24V or less relative to ground) and a data cable(e.g., a CAT 5 cable, a CAT 6 cable, a coaxial cable, a fiber opticcable, or any other type of cable) configured to relay TCP/IP typecommunications.

In some embodiments, the case into which display case door 12 is mountedis prewired with low-voltage DC power supply (e.g., 12V, 24V, UL Class2, etc.) so that it accepts a transparent LCD display case door 12 withpower through hinge pin 76 or wired cords near the hinge pin 76. In someembodiments, all of the electrical components between front panel 18 andrear panel 20 may be powered by a power supply that supplies arelatively low amount of power (e.g., less than 200 W, less than 100 W,less than 50 W, etc.). Low voltage conductors can be used to power allelectronic components of display case door 12. However, this is not alimitation on the present invention. For example, a high-voltage optioncan also be implemented. The electrical conductors passing through hingepin 76 (e.g., power cables, data cables, etc.) may connect directly tovarious electrical components within display case door 12 or to anintermediary component (e.g., a controller, a power supply, etc.).

In some embodiments, hinge pin 76 can be omitted and a regular hinge pincan be used. For example, in an outside mount embodiment of display casedoor 12, the electronic components can be powered by (and datacommunicated therewith) a cord that does not run through the hinge pin.This type of door may be used, for example, on a self serve case at theend of a check out aisle in a store.

In some embodiments, some or all of the electronic components used inconjunction with display case door 12 (e.g., controller 38, sensor 68,speaker 70, a data storage device, a media player, a power supply, etc.)may be located external to display case door 12 and/or frame 14. Forexample, controller 38 and/or a data storage device used to store mediapresented via LCD panel 22 may be positioned at a remote location (e.g.,on-site or off-site). Similarly, sensor 68, speaker 70, and/or a mediaplayer for display case door 12 may be remotely-located (e.g., externalto display case door 12 and/or frame 14). Remotely-located componentsmay be connected with display case door 12 directly or via acommunications network (e.g., a local network, the Internet, etc.). Invarious embodiments, electronic components located external to displaycase door 12 may provide display case door 12 with power and/or data viaelectrical conductors which pass through hinge pin 76 or via a wirelesscommunications link. In other embodiments, some or all of the electricalcomponents may be located within display case door 12 (e.g., betweenfront panel 18 and rear panel 20), mounted within frame 14, or otherwisecombined with display case door 12.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a block diagram of controller 38 is shown,according to an exemplary embodiment. Controller 38 may be locatedwithin transparent unit 16 (e.g., in cut-out 80 as shown in FIG. 3),within door frame 14 (e.g., in hollow area 72 as shown in FIG. 7), orotherwise located within display case door 12 or exterior to displaycase door 12. In some embodiments, controller 38 is a local controllerfor a single display case door. In other embodiments, controller 38 maycontrol multiple display case doors 12. For example, controller 38 maybe a supervisory controller for a building management system includingdisplay case doors 12. In some embodiments, controller 38 is part of adistributed control system with the various functions and components ofcontroller 38 distributed across several different control devices.

Still referring to FIG. 12, controller 38 is shown to include acommunications interface 88 and a processing circuit 90. Communicationsinterface 88 may include wired or wireless interfaces (e.g., jacks,antennas, transmitters, receivers, transceivers, wire terminals,Ethernet ports, WiFi transceivers, etc.) for conducting datacommunications with local or remote devices or systems. Communicationsinterface 88 may be used to communicate with a wireless networkingdevice (e.g., a wireless router, wireless-enabled computer, laptop,tablet, cell tower, etc.) and/or a wired networking device (e.g., via anEthernet cable, a SATA cable, USB cable, or other physical dataconnection).

Communications interface 88 may be configured to receive data fromvarious electronic devices. For example, communications interface 88 mayreceive sensory data from sensor 68 (e.g., motion detection data,proximity detection data, visual imaging data, temperature data,humidity data, lighting data, etc.), touch data from touch screen 62(e.g., data indicating user interaction with a particular portion oftouch screen 62, etc.), content-related data from content providers 86(e.g., updated media content for presentation via LCD panel 22), and/orother types of electronic data (e.g., data from user devices 84, fromnetwork 82, etc.). Controller 38 may use the data received viacommunications interface 88 to determine appropriate control actionsand/or data outputs for various operable components of display case door12.

Communications interface 88 may be configured to provide control signalsand/or data signals to LCD panel 22, lighting element 64, light guide66, anti-condensate device 78, and speaker 70. For example, controller38 may use communications interface 88 to provide visual content data(e.g., product information, pricing, nutritional value, advertisements,store layout information, visual media, etc.) to LCD panel 22 and audiocontent data to speaker 70. Controller 38 may use communicationsinterface 88 to provide control signals to lighting element 64 (e.g.,instructing lighting element 64 to turn on or off), light guide 66(e.g., causing light guide 66 to transition between an opaque state anda transparent state), and anti-condensate device 78 (e.g., causinganti-condensate device 78 to activate or deactivate to provide heat topanels 18-22).

Communications interface 88 may be configured to conduct electronic datacommunications with a communications network 82. Network 82 may be alocal area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a cellular network,a satellite network, a radio network, the Internet, or any other type ofdata network or combination thereof. Network 82 may include any numberof computing devices (e.g., computers, servers, routers, networkswitches, etc.) configured to transmit, receive, or relay data. Network82 may further include any number of hardwired and/or wirelessconnections. For example, controller 38 may communicate wirelessly(e.g., via WiFi, cellular, radio, etc.) with a transceiver that ishardwired (e.g., via a fiber optic cable, a CATS cable, etc.) to acomputing device of network 82. Network 82 may be used to receivecontent from content providers 86 and to communicate with user devices84.

Still referring to FIG. 12, controller 38 is shown to include aprocessing circuit 90. Processing circuit 90 is shown to include aprocessor 92 and memory 94. Processor 92 may be implemented as a generalpurpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC),one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a CPU, a GPU, agroup of processing components, or other suitable electronic processingcomponents.

Memory 94 may include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash®memory, hard disk storage, etc.) for storing data and/or computer codefor completing and/or facilitating the various processes, layers, andmodules described in the present disclosure. Memory 94 may comprisevolatile memory or non-volatile memory. Memory 94 may include databasecomponents, object code components, script components, or any other typeof information structure for supporting the various activities andinformation structures described in the present disclosure. In someimplementations, memory 94 is communicably connected to processor 92 viaprocessing circuit 90 and includes computer code (e.g., data modulesstored in memory 94) for executing one or more control processesdescribed herein. For example, memory 94 is shown to include a sensordata module 96, a remote communications module 98, a content selectionmodule 100, a display control module 102, a speaker control module 104,a lighting control module 106, and an anti-condensate module 108.

Still referring to FIG. 12, memory 94 is shown to include a sensor datamodule 96. Sensor data module 96 may include instructions for receivingand storing sensor data from sensor 68, touch screen 62, and/or othersensory input devices. Sensor data module 96 may receive input signalsvia communications interface 88. In some embodiments, the sensor datamay be received as an analog data signal. Sensor data module 96 mayinclude an analog-to-digital converter for translating the analog signalinto a digital data value. Sensor data module 96 may segment acontinuous data signal into discrete measurement values by sampling thesensor data periodically (e.g., once per second, once per millisecond,once per minute, etc.). In some embodiments, sensor data module 96converts the sensor input data into different format using a conversionformula, a translation table, or other conversion criteria.

In some embodiments, sensor data module 96 may attach a time stamp tothe sensor input data to organize the data by time. If multiple inputdevices are used to acquire sensor data, sensor data module 96 mayassign an identifier (e.g., a label, tag, etc.) to each measurement toorganize the data by source. For example, the identifier may signifywhether the sensor data is received from touch screen 62, sensor 68, orany other sensory input device.

Still referring to FIG. 12, memory 94 is shown to include a remotecommunications module 98. Remote communications module 98 may includeinstructions for conducting electronic data communications with remotesystems and devices via communications interface 88. For example, remotecommunications module 98 may communicate with user devices 84, contentproviders 86, or other networked devices (e.g., via network 82). Remotecommunications module 98 may receive and store media content fromcontent providers 86. The media content may be stored in a local orremote database for subsequent presentation via LCD panel 22 and/orspeaker 70. Remote communications module 98 may interact with userdevices 84 to provide diagnostic information, to allow user devices 84to make changes to configuration settings, to report diagnosticinformation or content presentation statistics, to update systemsoftware, or to facilitate any other type of interaction with userdevice 84 as may be desirable in various implementations.

Still referring to FIG. 12, memory 94 is shown to include a contentselection module 100. Content selection module 100 may includeinstructions for determining which content to present via LCD panel 22and/or speaker 70. Content selection module 100 may select one or morevisual content items (e.g., videos, images, text, etc.) to display to auser via LCD panel 22 and one or more audio content items (e.g., music,sound effects, etc.) to emit via speaker 70. In some embodiments,content selection module 100 uses the sensor data stored by sensor datamodule 96 to select content items. For example, content selection module100 may use the sensor data to identify whether a user in front ofdisplay case door 14 is a man or woman and may select a correspondingcontent item based on the identification.

In some embodiments, content selection module 100 selects a content itembased on user input received via touch screen 62. For example, a usermay interact with touch screen 62 to request product information,nutritional information, store layout information, or other informationaccessible by controller 38. Content selection module 100 may respond tothe user's request for information by causing the requested informationto be presented via LCD panel 22.

In some embodiments, content selection module 100 selects one or moreproducts (e.g., product advertisements, product images, productinformation, etc.) to present to a user via LCD panel 22. Contentselection module 100 may select the products according to productselection criteria. In some implementations, the product selectioncriteria includes criteria for selecting products that are estimated tobe most likely to invoke a purchase, a conversion event, a commercialinteraction, or other desirable interaction by the user. In someimplementations, the product selection criteria includes criteria forselecting products that are most relevant (e.g., products that areestimated to be appealing, interesting, enticing, etc.) to a particularuser.

In some embodiments, content selection module 100 identifies productswhich are most relevant to a particular user using information specificto the particular user (i.e., “user-specific information”).User-specific information may include, for example, user demographics,user preferences, user behavior data, user profile data, user locationdata, or other information relating to a particular user. A user mayinput a user identifier (e.g., by entering a user ID number, scanning abar code or card, etc.) to allow content selection module 100 toidentify a particular user and select relevant products accordingly.

In some embodiments, content selection module 100 selects content forpresentation via a single display case door 14. In other embodiments,content selection module 100 coordinates content presentation by aseries of display case doors 14. For example, content selection module100 may select content which is presented on multiple LCD panels 22concurrently or content which is split into multiple portions (e.g.,multiple sections of a large video feed) and delivered to multiple LCDpanels 22 (e.g., using each LCD panel as a portion of a larger videodisplay). Content selection module 100 may deliver a selected contentitem or an indication of a selected content item to display controlmodule 102 and/or speaker control module 104.

Still referring to FIG. 12, memory 94 is shown to include a displaycontrol module 102. Display control module 102 may be configured tocontrol LCD panel 22. Display control module 102 may receive mediacontent from content selection module 100 and cause the selected mediacontent to be presented via LCD panel 22. Display control module 102 maycontrol LCD panel 22 to present any of a variety of media contentincluding advertisements, product information, pricing information,nutritional information, store layout information, or any other visualinformation capable of being presented via LCD panel 22. Display controlmodule 102 may control the media content presented on a single LCD panelor on multiple LCD panels.

Display control module 102 may communicate with content selection module100 and/or sensor data module 96 to track the media content presented onLCD panel 22. For example, sensor data module 96 may record a sensoryinput indicating that a particular portion of touch screen 62 has beentouched by a user. Display control module 102 may be used to determinethe content associated with the touched portion of touch screen 62(e.g., a menu button, an icon, etc.). The information maintained bydisplay control module 102 may be used to associate touch screen inputswith particular actions (e.g., selecting a menu item, requesting productinformation, etc.).

Still referring to FIG. 12, memory 94 is shown to include a speakercontrol module 104. Speaker control module 104 may be configured tocontrol speaker 70. Speaker control module 104 may receive media contentfrom content selection module 100 and cause the selected media contentto be emitted by speaker 70. In some embodiments, speaker control module104 controls a traditional speaker (e.g., a speaker having a traditionalvoice coil, driver, diaphragm, and/or other speaker components). Inother embodiments, speaker control module 104 controls an acoustictransducer that uses one of panels 18-22 as the speaker diaphragm.

Still referring to FIG. 12, memory 94 is shown to include a lightingcontrol module 106. Lighting control module 106 may be configured tocontrol lighting element 64 and/or light guide 66. Lighting controlmodule 106 may determine when to activate, deactivate, adjust abrightness, or otherwise vary an output produced by lighting element 64.For example, lighting control module 106 may cause lighting element 64to turn on at a particular time of day and to turn off at a differenttime of day. Lighting control module 106 may operate lighting element 64according to a set lighting schedule, in response to input received fromuser devices 84, or in response to other types of input received viacommunications interface 88. For example, if sensor 68 does not detect auser for a predetermined period of time, lighting control module 106 maycause lighting element 64 to deactivate to conserve energy. If a user issubsequently detected by sensor 68, lighting control module 106 maycause lighting element 64 to activate in order to better illuminate theitems within storage device 10 or to provide backlighting for LCD panel22.

In some embodiments, lighting control module 106 controls the operationof light guide 66. Lighting control module 106 may cause light guide 66to direct the light emitted from lighting element 64 toward the productswithin storage device 10 or toward LCD panel 22. For example, lightingcontrol module 106 may cause light guide 66 to transition between anopaque state and a transparent state (e.g., by applying or removingvoltage from a switchable film or glass component of light guide 66).

If no voltage or current is applied, light guide 66 may be opaque (e.g.,frosted, cloudy white, etc.), thereby preventing a user from seeingthrough display case door 12. In the opaque state, light emitted bylighting element 64 may be absorbed, dispersed, or reflected by lightguide 64, thereby providing backlighting for LCD panel 22. In the opaquestate, transparent LCD panel 22 may appear to be a typical LCDtelevision. The opaque state facilitates the presentation of content viaLCD panel 22 by reducing or eliminating the transmission of light fromwithin storage device 10 through display case door 12. In someembodiments, lighting control module 106 is configured to coordinate atransition into the opaque state with the presentation of media contenton LCD panel 22. For example, lighting control module 106 may causelight guide 66 to transition into the opaque state to when media contentis presented via LCD panel 22 to improve the visibility of the mediacontent.

If voltage or current is applied, light guide 66 may be transparent,thereby allowing a user to see through display case door 12 into storagedevice 10. In the transparent state, light emitted by lighting element64 may be transmitted through light guide 66 to provide illumination andimprove the presentation of the items within storage device 10.

Still referring to FIG. 12, memory 94 is shown to include ananti-condensate module 108. Anti-condensate module 108 may be configuredto control anti-condensate device 78. In some embodiments,anti-condensate device 78 includes an electrically-conductive coating(e.g., a pyrolitic coating or other similar coating) applied to one ormore of panels 18-22 to prevent condensation from occurring. Theelectrically-conductive coating can be applied by spraying, adhering,laminating, or otherwise depositing the coating (e.g., using chemicalvapor deposition) on any of surfaces 40-50. The anti-condensate device78 may further include one or more parallel bus bars (e.g., top andbottom, left and right side, etc.). The bus bars may be spaced apartfrom one another and adhered to the electrically-conductive coating.Each bus bar may include a lead assembly or solder tab for adheringwires that are in communication with an electrical source.

Anti-condensate module 108 may be configured to apply a voltage acrossthe bus bars, causing an electric current to flow across theelectrically-conductive coating. The electric current may cause heat tobe generated across panels 18-22 (e.g., due to electrical resistance ofthe coating), which may assist in preventing condensation on panels18-22. In some embodiments, anti-condensate module 108 determineswhether to apply or remove the electric current based on sensor data(e.g., temperature data, humidity data, etc.) measured by sensor 68. Forexample, if the humidity of the air outside storage device 10 has ahumidity level greater than a threshold value, anti-condensate module108 may activate anti-condensate device 78 to prevent condensation fromoccurring. The threshold value may be based on the dew point temperatureof the outside air or other calculated or measured values.

Referring now to FIG. 13, a cross-sectional drawing of a transparentunit 16′ is shown, according to another exemplary embodiment.Transparent unit 16′ includes many of the same features of transparentunit 16 as described with reference to FIGS. 2-6. For example,transparent unit 16′ is shown to include a front panel 18, a rear panel20, and a transparent LCD 22 panel positioned between front panel 18 andrear panel 20. Transparent unit 16′ is shown to further includeinsulation 30, a spacer 24 spanning the distance between front panel 18and rear panel 20, and a seal 60 around a perimeter of transparent unit16′. In some embodiments, transparent LCD panel 22 may be positionedadjacent to front panel 18, as shown in FIG. 13. Transparent LCD panel22 may be secured to front panel 18 by an adhesive or fastener 69 (e.g.,bolts, screws, double-sided tape, glue, epoxy, etc.) or held in place bya geometric fitting.

Still referring to FIG. 13, transparent unit 16′ is shown to include alighting element 64 and a light guide 66. Lighting element 64 mayinclude one or more light-emitting devices (e.g., light emitting diode(LED) strips, fluorescent light tubes, incandescent lights, halogenlights, etc.) configured to provide backlighting for transparent LCDpanel 22 and/or to improve the presentation and display of the itemswithin storage device 10. Light guide 66 may be a phosphorescentembedded material configured to direct the light emitted from lightingelement 64 toward transparent LCD panel 22 and/or toward products withinstorage device 10.

In some embodiments, lighting element 64 and light guide 66 are locatedwithin transparent unit 16′ (e.g., between front panel 18 and rear panel20). For example, lighting element 64 and light guide 66 may bepositioned between transparent LCD panel 22 and rear panel 20. As shownin FIG. 13, lighting element 64 may be positioned adjacent to lightguide 66 (e.g., on one side, on both sides, above, below, etc.). Lightemitted from lighting element 64 may pass through a side surface oflight guide 66 and may be directed (e.g., scattered, deflected,redirected, etc.) by light guide 66 toward transparent LCD panel 22and/or rear panel 20. Spacers 26 and 28 may be located on either side oflight guide 66. For example, spacer 26 may be located betweentransparent LCD panel 22 and light guide 66. Spacer 28 may be locatedbetween light guide 66 and rear panel 20.

In some embodiments, lighting element 64 and/or light guide 66 may beattached to a housing 67. Housing 67 may be used to secure lightingelement 64 and/or light guide 66 in a stable position relative totransparent unit 16′. Housing 67 may be positioned between transparentLCD panel 22 and rear panel 20, as shown in FIG. 13. In someembodiments, housing 67 includes a feature (e.g., a slot, a channel, amounting surface, a corner, a rib, etc.) configured to receive and/orsecure light guide 66. Housing 67 may also include a feature configuredto receive and/or secure lighting element 64. In various embodiments,housing 67 may be attached to a rear surface of LCD panel 22, a frontsurface of rear panel 20, a side surface of spacers 26 or 28, toinsulation 30, and/or to spacer 24. Housing 67 may be attached tovarious elements by an adhesive or fastener 69 (e.g., bolts, screws,double-sided tape, glue, epoxy, etc.) or held in place by a geometricfitting.

The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods as shown inthe various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only afew implementations of the present disclosure have been described indetail, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readilyappreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations insizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the variouselements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials,colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited.

Numerous specific details are described to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances,well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoidobscuring the description. References to “some embodiments,” “oneembodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” and/or “various embodiments” inthe present disclosure can be, but not necessarily are, references tothe same embodiment and such references mean at least one of theembodiments.

Alternative language and synonyms may be used for anyone or more of theterms discussed herein. No special significance should be placed uponwhether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms forcertain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does notexclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in thisspecification including examples of any terms discussed herein isillustrative only, and is not intended to further limit the scope andmeaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, thedisclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in thisspecification.

The elements and assemblies may be constructed from any of a widevariety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, inany of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Further,elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple partsor elements.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” is used to mean serving as anexample, instance or illustration. Any implementation or designdescribed herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other implementations or designs. Rather,use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concretemanner. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the present disclosure. Other substitutions,modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design,operating conditions, and arrangement of the preferred and otherexemplary implementations without departing from the scope of theappended claims.

As used herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” andsimilar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with thecommon and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to whichthe subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understoodby those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these termsare intended to allow a description of certain features described andclaimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precisenumerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should beinterpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequentialmodifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimedare considered to be within the scope of the invention as recited in theappended claims.

As used herein, the term “coupled” means the joining of two membersdirectly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary innature or moveable in nature and/or such joining may allow for the flowof fluids, electricity, electrical signals, or other types of signals orcommunication between the two members. Such joining may be achieved withthe two members or the two members and any additional intermediatemembers being integrally formed as a single unitary body with oneanother or with the two members or the two members and any additionalintermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may bepermanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable innature.

Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in thisdisclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.). For example, the position of elements may bereversed or otherwise varied and the nature or number of discreteelements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thepresent disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method stepsmay be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplaryembodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and programproducts on any machine-readable media for accomplishing variousoperations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implementedusing existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computerprocessor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or anotherpurpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of thepresent disclosure include program products comprising machine-readablemedia for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or datastructures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be anyavailable media that can be accessed by a general purpose or specialpurpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example,such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROMor other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or storedesired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions ordata structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose orspecial purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Wheninformation is transferred or provided over a network or anothercommunications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combinationof hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views theconnection as a machine-readable medium. Thus, any such connection isproperly termed a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the above arealso included within the scope of machine-readable media.Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions anddata which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer,or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function orgroup of functions.

Although the figures show a specific order of method steps, the order ofthe steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or more steps maybe performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variationwill depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designerchoice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure.Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standardprogramming techniques with rule based logic and other logic toaccomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparisonsteps and decision steps.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display case door for a product storage device,the display case door comprising: a transparent unit through whichproducts within the product storage device are visible, the transparentunit comprising a front panel, a rear panel, and a transparent LCD panelpositioned between the front panel and the rear panel, wherein thetransparent LCD panel is configured to present visual media content; alight guide positioned within the transparent unit between thetransparent LCD panel and the rear panel, the light guide spaced apartfrom the LCD panel by a spacer disposed therebetween, and the lightguide comprising a front surface facing toward the transparent LCDpanel, a rear surface facing toward the rear panel, and a side surfaceextending between the front surface and the rear surface; and a lightingelement positioned within the transparent unit between the transparentLCD panel and the rear panel and configured to emit light through theside surface of the light guide in a direction substantially parallel tothe transparent LCD panel; wherein the light guide is configured toredirect the light emitted by the lighting element through the frontsurface toward the transparent LCD panel and through the rear surfacetoward the products within the product storage device.
 2. The displaycase door of claim 1, wherein the visual media content comprises atleast one of product information, pricing information, nutritionalinformation, advertising content, and store layout information.
 3. Thedisplay case door of claim 1, wherein the transparent LCD panel isconfigured to receive data from a remote data source comprising a mediaplayer located outside the display case door and connected with thetransparent LCD panel via one or more electrical conductors; wherein themedia player is configured to control the visual media content presentedvia the transparent LCD panel.
 4. The display case door of claim 3,wherein the media player provides visual media content to a plurality oftransparent LCD panels distributed across a plurality of display casedoors.
 5. The display case door of claim 1, wherein the lighting elementis configured to provide lighting for the transparent LCD panel and forthe products within the product storage device.
 6. The display case doorof claim 1, wherein the light guide is configured to transition betweenan opaque state in which the light guide provides backlighting for thetransparent LCD panel and a transparent state in which the light guideallows the products within the product storage device to be viewedthrough the transparent LCD panel.
 7. The display case door of claim 1,further comprising a touch screen configured to receive touch-basedinput from a user; wherein the visual media content presented by thetransparent LCD panel is in response to user input received via thetouch screen.
 8. The display case door of claim 1, further comprising: aspeaker configured to present audio media content; and one or moreelectrical conductors configured to deliver the audio media content tothe speaker from a remote data source.
 9. The display case door of claim1, wherein the light guide comprises a phosphorescent embedded materialconfigured to redirect the light emitted by the light guide toward thetransparent LCD panel and toward the products within the product storagedevice.
 10. A display system for a product storage device, the displaysystem comprising: a display case door comprising a transparent unitthat includes a transparent LCD panel configured to present visual mediacontent and through which products within the product storage device arevisible; a light guide positioned behind and spaced apart from thetransparent LCD panel by a spacer disposed therebetween, the light guidecomprising a front surface facing toward the transparent LCD panel, arear surface facing toward the products within the product storagedevice, and a side surface extending between the front surface and therear surface; and a lighting element configured to emit light throughthe side surface of the light guide in a direction substantiallyparallel to the transparent LCD panel; wherein the light guide isconfigured to redirect the light emitted by the lighting element throughthe front surface toward the transparent LCD panel and through the rearsurface toward the products within the product storage device.
 11. Thedisplay system of claim 10, wherein the transparent unit furthercomprises a front panel and a rear panel; wherein the transparent LCDpanel is positioned between the front panel and the rear panel.
 12. Thedisplay system of claim 10, wherein the visual media content comprisesat least one of product information, pricing information, nutritionalinformation, advertising content, and store layout information.
 13. Thedisplay system of claim 10, wherein the lighting element is configuredto provide lighting for the transparent LCD panel and for the productswithin the product storage device.
 14. The display system of claim 10,wherein the light guide is configured to transition between an opaquestate in which the light guide provides backlighting for the transparentLCD panel and a transparent state in which the light guide allowsproducts within the product storage device to be viewed through thetransparent LCD panel.
 15. The display system of claim 10, furthercomprising a controller configured to cause the light guide totransition between the a transparent state and the an opaque state andcoordinate presentation of the visual media content via the transparentLCD panel with a state of the light guide.
 16. The display system ofclaim 15, wherein the controller: causes the light guide to transitioninto the opaque state when the visual media content is presented via thetransparent LCD panel; and causes the light guide to transition into thetransparent state when the visual media content is not presented via thetransparent LCD panel.
 17. The display system of claim 15, wherein thecontroller provides visual media content to a plurality of transparentLCD panels distributed across a plurality of display case doors.
 18. Adisplay case door assembly comprising: a transparent unit comprising atransparent LCD panel configured to present visual media content; alight guide positioned behind and spaced apart from the transparent LCDpanel by a spacer disposed therebetween, the light guide comprising afront surface facing toward the transparent LCD panel, a rear surfacefacing away from the transparent LCD panel, and a side surface extendingbetween the front surface and the rear surface; and a lighting elementconfigured to emit light through the side surface of the light guide ina direction substantially parallel to the transparent LCD panel; whereinthe light guide is configured to redirect the light emitted by thelighting element through the front surface toward the transparent LCDpanel and through the rear surface away from the transparent LCD panel.19. The display case door assembly of claim 18, wherein the visual mediacontent comprises at least one of product information, pricinginformation, nutritional information, advertising content, and storelayout information.
 20. The display case door assembly of claim 18,further comprising: a power supply located outside the display case doorassembly and configured to provide power for the transparent LCD panel;and one or more electrical conductors configured to deliver the powerfrom the power supply to the transparent LCD panel.
 21. A display caseadvertising system comprising: a display case door for atemperature-controlled storage device, the display case door comprising:an insulated panel assembly that includes at least a first panel and asecond panel, the first and second panels defining a space between them,the space comprising a thermally insulating medium, wherein a seal sealsthe thermally insulating material within the space between the first andsecond panel; a switchable film applied to a surface of the first panel;a lighting element coupled to the insulated panel assembly and arrangedto emit light towards the switchable film and into an interior of thetemperature-controlled storage device; a sensor configured to detect apresence of customers proximate to the display case door; a displaypanel positioned on the insulated panel assembly and arranged to bevisible from outside of a display case with the display case doorclosed, the display panel configured to present visual media content;and a controller mounted to the display case door, the controllerconfigured to: drive the display panel to present visual media content,control the switchable film to transition between an opaque state and atransparent state in coordination with presentation of the visual mediacontent, and control operation of the lighting element and theswitchable film responsive to output from the sensor.
 22. The displaycase door of claim 21, wherein the visual media content includes atleast one of product information, pricing information, nutritionalinformation, advertising information, and store layout information. 23.The display case door of claim 21, wherein the display panel istransparent when visual media is not presented on the display panel. 24.The display case door of claim 21, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to drive a second display panel of a second display case doorto coordinate display of related media content between on both thedisplay panel and the second display panel.
 25. The display case door ofclaim 21, further comprising a speaker coupled to the frame.
 26. Thedisplay case door of claim 21, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to select the visual media content based on a detectedphysical trait of a customer proximate to the display case door.
 27. Thedisplay case door of claim 21, wherein the sensor includes at least oneof an optical sensor, a camera, a motion sensor, or a proximity sensor.28. The display case door of claim 1, wherein the light guide isconfigured to selectively redirect the light emitted by the lightingelement through the front surface toward the transparent LCD panel andthrough the rear surface toward the products within the product storagedevice.
 29. The display system of claim 10, wherein the light guide isconfigured to selectively redirect the light emitted by the lightingelement through the front surface toward the transparent LCD panel andthrough the rear surface toward the products within the product storagedevice.
 30. The display case door assembly of claim 18, wherein thelight guide is configured to selectively redirect the light emitted bythe lighting element through the front surface toward the transparentLCD panel and through the rear surface toward the products within theproduct storage device.